Abstract
Biodiversity loss is one of the most critical environmental problems nowadays. Several natural and anthropogenic causes are known to trigger it. Environmental pollution, including land degradation, has been long considered a significant contributor to biodiversity loss. However, the role of plastic pollution, especially microplastics, in biodiversity loss has been recognised relatively recently. This chapter delves into the complex relationship between biodiversity and plastic pollution, assessing how plastic degrades natural habitats, distorts the ecosystem, and threatens the survival of countless species, eventually disrupting the ecosystem's delicate balance. Through a review of scientific literature, the chapter probes the sources of plastic pollution, its various forms and the impacts of plastic on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. It examines how plastic waste ingestion, entanglement, and chemical contamination affect individual species, populations, and ecological communities. Lastly, the chapter discusses measures to manage plastic pollution and safeguard biodiversity.
TopIntroduction
Biodiversity has a great significance from ecosystem functioning to human wellbeing. It promotes ecosystem stability and functioning. Diverse ecosystems are more flexible to environmental changes such as climate change and natural disasters. Each species within an ecosystem plays a unique role or niche, and their interaction helps in nutrient cycling, pollination, water purification, and other essential ecosystem processes. The utility of rich biodiversity can be grouped into economic benefits and eecosystem services. Biodiversity come up with a wide range of economic benefits, including the medicines, provision of food and raw materials for industries such as agriculture, biotechnology and drug industry. It also provides many ecosystem services which are beneficial to human wellbeing such as clean air and water, soil fertility, flood control, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation. Biodiversity also provides us a variety of genetic resources which helps in biotechnology innovation, medical research and crop improvement. Considering the accelerating loss of biodiversity due to human activities such as habitat destruction, pollution especially plastic pollution, overexploitation of resources, and climate change, it is becoming crucial to emphasis on conservation efforts and to adopt sustainable practices.
Biodiversity loss refers to the decrease or disappearance of specific species in a particular area. Exacerbated by various human activities, it is a pressing environmental challenge that has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and the planet’s well-being. Human activities like deforestation, urbanisation, and agricultural expansion destroy and fragment natural habitats, losing numerous plant and animal species. Environmental pollution, including air and water pollution and climate change driven by human activities, poses significant threats to biodiversity by disrupting ecosystems, altering temperature patterns, and impacting the survival of various species. A critical contributor to this issue is plastic pollution, which has emerged as a pervasive and detrimental force affecting the biodiversity of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The use and disposal of plastics is a transboundary threat to biodiversity and natural ecosystems due to their low degradation rate and unsustainable production. Global plastic production has reached 368 million metric tons (Mt) annually and is estimated to double within 20 years (Lebreton and Andrady, 2019). The article explores the intricate relationship between plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. It highlights the diverse processes and pathways through which plastics impact the ecosystems, leading to declining biodiversity. The paper also deals with the latest technology for effectively managing plastic pollution, including monitoring through remote sensing.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Biodiversity: It refers to the variability on Earth, which includes the species diversity, i.e. variety and abundance of species in the ecosystem; ecosystem diversity, i.e. the variety of species in different ecosystems in a particular region; and genetic diversity, i.e. array of genes within a species or population. Biodiversity is crucial for the human population’s survival and maintaining the balance of ecosystems.
Reuse: This concept involves using plastic items multiple times to extend their lifespan and reduce the amount of plastic waste generated over time. This mitigation strategy needs to emphasise alternatives to single-use plastic products, behavioural changes in consumers, new research and innovation towards eco-friendly alternative products, government initiatives and policy regulations. By practising reuse as part of plastic mitigation strategies, single-use plastic demand can be reduced, and a sustainable environment can thrive.
Microplastics: Microplastic are small plastics that have a particle size of 5 mm or less that. They can originate from primary sources (for ex., microbeads in personal care products or industrial waste) and secondary sources (when larger plastic breaks down into smaller particles due to weathering and erosion over time). Like larger plastic, microplastics are ubiquitous and profound in oceans, lakes, forests, and urban areas.
Single-Use Plastic: It refers to those types of plastic used for once before being thrown away or recycled. It is mainly made to attain convenience and for short-term usage. Single-use plastics include plastic bags, straws, water bottles, disposable cutlery, food packaging, and packaging materials like bubble wrap. Like microplastics, single-use plastics can survive hundreds of years without degrading themselves. Thus, they contribute to pollution and distress to the biodiversity.
Ingestion: Plastic ingestion is a widespread issue affecting many marine and terrestrial species worldwide. It is mainly profound in aquatic ecosystems where plastic can be found everywhere. Ingestion refers to the situation when animals mistakenly consume plastic materials, thinking plastic to be a food item. Ingestion of plastic can lead to serious health hazards like- blockage of the digestive tract, leading to starvation, internal injuries, and death. The harmful chemicals released from plastic can harm the tissue of animals and cause organ damage, reproductive issues.
Recycle: It is a crucial aspect of plastic mitigation strategies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste. It involves collecting, processing, and converting used plastic materials into new products or materials, extending their lifecycle and reducing the need for new plastic production. There are some processes involved in this recycling, i.e. collection and sorting of used plastic, processing and treatment for further use, and conversion into another material. Recycling is considered a great approach in a circular economy where there is a minimum waste of resources.
Sustainable Management: It refers to adopting strategies and practices that aim to reduce the environmental impact of plastic throughout its lifecycle, from production to disposal. It involves minimising the use of plastic, proper waste management strategies, promoting alternative, new innovative technology, better collaboration between government, industries, and societies, and adequate policy implementation by policy makers.
Species Extinction: Species extinction due to plastic pollution occurs when plastic debris in natural environments directly or indirectly leads to the decline or loss of species. This can impact biodiversity in various ways, such as entanglement, ingestion, abrasion, habitat degradation. All these factors eventually lead to species extinction.
Entanglement: Plastic entanglement is a widespread issue resulting from plastic pollution in aquatic and land biodiversity. It refers to animals trapped in abandoned plastic debris, such as fishing nets, lines, ropes, and packaging materials. It results in physical injury, strangulation, and immobilisation. Many aquatic animals like seals, sea lions, turtles and whales get entangled in fishing nets or other plastic debris, leading to the inability to swim, fly, or move freely. Which eventually leads to death.
Plastic Pollution: It refers to the assemblage of plastic waste in the environment, mainly in marine (lakes, ocean, ponds) and terrestrial (land, soil, forests, urban) ecosystems. Plastic pollution takes place from various types of plastic, the most menancing is the single use plastics. Plastic pollution have a colossal consequence on the environment, human health and society.